Monitoring the police monitors

 Arase said that in enforcing the Nigeria Police Force Anti-Corruption Initiative, he had directed that such monitoring teams immediately commence operation and conduct checks of police officers on the highways, in police stations and formations nationwide.He said he was determined to rid the Force of all forms of corruption, and warned that the practice would […]

 Arase said that in enforcing the Nigeria Police Force Anti-Corruption Initiative, he had directed that such monitoring teams immediately commence operation and conduct checks of police officers on the highways, in police stations and formations nationwide.
He said he was determined to rid the Force of all forms of corruption, and warned that the practice would not be condoned under his leadership.
 He said police personnel must abide by the constitutional provisions of protecting the rights of citizens while performing their statutory duties, and that ‘excessive use’ of force and the unjustifiable application of lethal weapons contrary to standing rules of engagement would not be tolerated.
He also had a message for members of the public, reminding them that as actors in the task of policing the country, they had a duty to actively collaborate with the Force in exposing societal ills, including bad behaviour among police personnel.
Mr Arase’s statements are typical of those made by his predecessors upon taken office; the solution he offers is not new either. However, recognising the problem and taking steps to address it is a positive move that should not falter.
Basically, every newly-appointed IGP says the same thing; they’ll reform the police, fight corruption in the Force, win back the public’s trust by effective policing and dismantle the numerous but mostly illegal police roadblocks, among many other pledges.
And just as routinely, the roadblocks never go away, and the public is often not convinced that ‘the policeman is your friend’ message works in practice. The roadblocks are notorious as extortion rackets in which as little as N20 could mean the difference between liberty and detention for commuters.
True, the rot in the police didn’t begin to accumulate overnight; and it would take more than Mr Arase’s pious words to fix.
But he can begin to lay the foundation for long term solution, which must include tightening recruitment process, so that only people of good character get enlisted.  Some police personnel have been found to have a criminal past; lapses that allow such things to happen should be blocked.
Mr Arase should also persuade the Police Council to approve increase in the number of police personnel in the country, not just to replace dead ones.
With over 300,000 personnel for a country with a population of over 160 million people, the Force is grossly understaffed, far short of the United Nations recommended ratio of 1 policeman for 400 citizens.
The problem is compounded by the large number of police personnel assigned to non-police duties, like security aides to governors, legislators, judges, etc. This practice is overdue to be stopped completely.
A principal complaint against the police is their zero maintenance culture. The NPF is perhaps the only security agency whose personnel have no regard for the expensive equipment and operational aids put in their charge to assist them in the discharge of their duties. The vehicles that state governments, local governments and other organisations regularly donated to aid law enforcement quickly depreciate within months, and are discarded before they are one year old. This indicates absence of proper inventory and monitoring to ensure that each vehicle undergoes routine checks and service.
Obviously, the police force could do with adjustments to its personnel’s emoluments to attract the right persons to enlist and also discourage the tendency to supplement wages through extortionist schemes. Mr Arase should make a pledge that the welfare of his officers and men would be given priority and that their salary and entitlements are paid each month as and when due. Benefits for deaths on active duty must be settled with their families promptly.